--- title: Waterville Woodcraft Achieves >99% Compliance with Automated Drawer Stapling using Kinova Link 6 description: Waterville Woodcraft Achieves >99% Compliance using the Kinova Link 6 to automate drawer stapling. This solution eliminates ergonomic issues, reduces training time, and uses barcode scanning to ensure 100% traceability and reduced order errors. image: https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/Watervill_HR.webp --- [![home](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Canadian%20Robotics%20Council/images/module-icons/House.svg)](https://www.roboticscouncil.ca/) ![arrow](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Canadian%20Robotics%20Council/images/module-icons/left-arrow-canadian.svg) [ CASE STUDIES ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/) # Waterville Woodcraft Achieves >99% Compliance with Automated Drawer Stapling using Kinova Link 6 [ Manufacturing ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/manufacturing) [ Quebec ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/quebec) [ Small-Sized Business (~5-99 FTE) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/small-sized-business-5-99-fte) [ Indoor ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/indoor) [ High Mix/Low Volume (HMLV) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/high-mix-low-volume-hmlv) [ Semi-Automated ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/semi-automated) [ Palletizing & Packaging ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/palletizing-packaging) [ Fastening ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/fastening) [ Quality Control ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/quality-control) [ Barcode & QR Scanning ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/barcode-qr-scanning) [ Workplace Safety & Health ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/workplace-safety-health) [ Talent Acquisition & Retention ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/talent-acquisition-retention) [ Collaborative ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/collaborative) [ Sensors ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/sensors) [ Software (perception algorithms, analysis tools) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/software-perception-algorithms-analysis-tools) [ Structured ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/structured) [ Production & Efficiency ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/production-efficiency) [ Quality, Consistency & Waste ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/quality-consistency-waste) [ Industrial (6-axis, SCARA, gantry, etc) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/industrial-6-axis-scara-gantry-etc) [ Manufacturing & Assembly ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/manufacturing-assembly) [ Material Handling & Logistics ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/material-handling-logistics) [ Inspection & Analysis ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/inspection-analysis) Show More BY: Kinova | Feb 19, 2026 ![Automated Drawer Stapling using Kinova Link 6](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/big.webp?width=1000&height=657&name=big.webp) #### AT A GLANCE ###### CLIENT [![Waterville-Woodcraft-logo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20067422/4f98d41c-d5b8-4b74-b30b-babf3d1daec6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20067422/4f98d41c-d5b8-4b74-b30b-babf3d1daec6) LOCATION: ###### Waterville, Quebec SECTOR: ###### Manufacturing SUPPLIER: ###### Kinova [![Kinova](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Kinova.png?width=180&height=48&name=Kinova.png)](https://www.kinovarobotics.com/)   TECHNOLOGY / PRODUCT USED: ###### Kinova Link 6 Robot Arm TARGETED APPLICATION ###### Automated Drawer Stapling & Assembly Line Robotization LEARN MORE ###### Read The Full Case Study **[Here](https://www.kinovarobotics.com/application/stapling)** ### Solving consistency issues and eliminating ergonomic problems caused by repetitive hand stapling >15000 Drawers produced after only a few months >99% Compliance value achieved ↓↓↓ Ergonomic issues caused by repetitive hand stapling Waterville Woodcraft automated its custom drawer assembly by integrating a Kinova Link 6 cobot into a semi-automated stapling cell. The system uses sensors to dynamically measure a high mix of drawer sizes, allowing it to adjust its stapling path and apply labels without manual reprogramming. This transition successfully eliminated repetitive strain injuries for workers while achieving a 99% quality compliance rate and a 26-second cycle time, effectively solving labor shortages and inconsistent output. ###### *Kinova x Waterville Woodcraft - Stapling* ### The Challenge   **Our partner Waterville Woodcraft contacted us as they noticed they had a consistency issue in their manufacturing process. **The company assessed the situation and considered automation to be the solution. Limitations identified included a lack of qualified (trained) manpower, non-ergonomic repetitive tasks that often cause OHS issues, and the variable quality of stapling from one employee to another. Employees were looking for solutions to ensure that each drawer the company stapled in production was done same way to reduce the quantity of drawers that do not pass inspection. ### The Solution   **The employee-driven automation project involved the installation of the Link 6 on the assembly line.** The robot consistently staples drawers regardless of their size, from small 6x6" to large 24x53" drawers. The robot dynamically adapts to the size of the drawer without human intervention or programming and provides better control over quality. In addition, the robot automatically detects the matching drawer in the production list and prints the appropriate label, improving product traceability. ### KEY FEATURES ##### Kinova Link 6 and Josef Kihlberg stapler integration:   Provides better control over quality and consistency while eliminating hand-stapling issues. ##### Dynamic Size Adaptation:   Automatically handles drawers from 6x6" to 24x53" without manual programming. ##### Automated Traceability System:   Includes barcode scanning, sensor-based measurement, and label printing. ##### Real-time Monitoring:   In-cell camera tracking and database synchronization. ### RESULTS   **In its first month of production, the Link 6 robot stapled 6000 drawers, representing over 100,000 staples inserted.** Since then, the company has gone into full time use and has produced more than 15,000 drawers after only a few months of production. Measured stapling time is 26 seconds per drawer (excluding door/press opening), beating the 30-second target. The total cycle time is 48 seconds, significantly under the 60-second target. Compliance has reached over 99%.   With the barcode scanning system, it is easy to retrieve the customer order from the database. Once the order is retrieved, the operator installs the drawer and closes the press. The sensors measure the dimensions of the drawer to determine the path the robot should take. A label is then printed to ensure traceability. This system reduces the risk of sticking the wrong label on the drawer.   In addition to real-time synchronization between the robot and the order database, a camera in the cell tracks the work done each time a drawer is stapled. Drawer production is more consistent as robotization with the Josef Kihlberg stapler has improved stapling quality and issues related to hand stapling have been eliminated.   This project reduces the amount of time it takes to train an employee. It is easier to train an employee to put drawers in the press than to staple drawers properly. In addition to increasing the quality of the drawers, the employees work less hard physically but accomplish more tasks in their day. With the tasks being less physical, the company has eliminated the ergonomic issues caused by repetitive hand stapling. 0 Cycle time per drawer measured (Target: 60 secs) 0 ###### Compliance achieved (Minimum target: 95%) 0 ###### Stapling time measured (Target: 30 secs) 0 ###### Produced in the first few months ###### Enhanced product traceability and reduced risk of incorrect labeling ###### Improved production consistency and stapling quality ###### Reduced training time for new employees ###### Elimination of ergonomic issues caused by repetitive tasks ![KINOVA_Link6](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/KINOVA_Link6.webp?width=2000&height=799&name=KINOVA_Link6.webp) Link 6 is a latest-generation, robust collaborative robot, built for all industries that want to benefit from automation. ## RELATED CASE STUDIES [![Run the press brake without human intervention using Link 6](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/application-machine-tending-intro-2.webp?width=352&name=application-machine-tending-intro-2.webp) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/lpm-increases-productivity-and-safety-with-kinova-link-6-press-machine-tending) ###### [ LPM Increases Productivity and Safety with Kinova Link 6 Press Machine Tending ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/lpm-increases-productivity-and-safety-with-kinova-link-6-press-machine-tending) By: Kinova [ Read more ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/lpm-increases-productivity-and-safety-with-kinova-link-6-press-machine-tending) [![Mobile Cobot Machine Tending](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/28-productivity-gain-with-mobile-cobot-machine-tending-1.png?width=352&name=28-productivity-gain-with-mobile-cobot-machine-tending-1.png) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/28-productivity-gain-with-mobile-cobot-machine-tending) ###### [ 28% Productivity Gain with Mobile Cobot Machine Tending ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/28-productivity-gain-with-mobile-cobot-machine-tending) By: Vention [ Read more ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/28-productivity-gain-with-mobile-cobot-machine-tending) [![A custom-made Rapid Series Palletizer cobot system with conveyors to fit with the two existing production lines to take over the repetitive tasks of lifting and arranging boxes.](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/produlith-palletizer-operation.jpg?width=352&name=produlith-palletizer-operation.jpg) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/produlith-increases-output-and-employee-well-being-with-a-cobot-palletizer) ###### [ Produlith Increases Output and Employee Well-being with a Cobot Palletizer ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/produlith-increases-output-and-employee-well-being-with-a-cobot-palletizer) By: Vention [ Read more ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/produlith-increases-output-and-employee-well-being-with-a-cobot-palletizer) [![MARI Scan & Go](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/MARI%20Scan%20%26%20Go.avif) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/achieve-18-month-payback-and-55-labor-reduction-in-high-mix-manufacturing) ###### [ Achieve 18-Month Payback and 55% Labor Reduction in High-Mix Manufacturing ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/achieve-18-month-payback-and-55-labor-reduction-in-high-mix-manufacturing) By: Maple Advanced Robotics Inc. 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